Privacy device and method for use with network enabled cameras

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed herein concerns a privacy enhancing device for use with IP cameras and related methods. The privacy device includes an adjustable light filter and is configured to be placed over the lens of an IP camera such that the image captured by the IP camera passes through the filter. The transparency of the light filter is controlled using a control module in response to user inputs received using an on-board user interface so as to provide varying levels of privacy ranging from an opaque state and a transparent state. Inputs that serve to facilitate and enhance operation of the device can also be received from other input sources such as connected computing devices. For security, the control path defined by the control module and the on-board user input device can be isolated from other more sophisticated control devices that can be prone to hacking and remote control.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentSer. No. 15/832,238, filed Dec. 5, 2017, entitled PRIVACY DEVICE ANDMETHOD FOR USE WITH NETWORK ENABLED CAMERAS, which is based on andclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/497,834 toAllen et al., filed on Dec. 5, 2016 and entitled ELECTRONICALLYCONTROLLED PRIVACY SYSTEM FOR AN IP BASED CAMERA SYSTEM, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth expressly intheir entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to network enabled cameras, and inparticular to adjustable light filter systems for use with networkcameras to enhance user privacy.

BACKGROUND

The proliferation of network enabled cameras, such as “IP” (InternetProtocol) cameras, which are commonly used for a variety of home orbusiness monitoring applications, has been accompanied by an increase inprivacy concerns and security risks. IP cameras provide high qualitylive and recorded streaming video over networks like the Internet suchthat the recorded content can be viewed and monitored by end users atlocal or remote locations.

Unfortunately, there are deep-rooted concerns that the content recordedand distributed by IP cameras can be viewed by unintended parties,including hackers that can “hijack” cameras to spy on end users.Hijacking can, for example, involve intercepting the video feed beingtransmitted over the internet, as well as hacking into and gainingcontrol over the IP camera itself, for instance, turning the camera onand recording without the owner's knowledge. Other types of digitalcameras that are network enabled or indirectly connected to the internetvia a computing device, such as smartphone cameras and web-cameras usedwith personal computers, present similar security risks. The term “IPcamera,” as used herein, is intended to include various types of digitalvideo or still cameras that can be directly or indirectly connected to anetwork for the purpose of capturing imagery for recording ortransmission over the network.

For at least the foregoing security reasons end-users have resorted tousing basic anti-surveillance solutions to protect their privacy. Thesesolutions are typically basic mechanical devices such as stickers,covers, and plastic slides, all of which are designed to cover up thecamera lens and are un-hackable. These rudimentary solutions forenhancing privacy, however, lack convenience and sophistication. Forexample, a user can easily forget to apply the cover over the lens whenthe camera is not in use. Furthermore, existing lens cover solutionsprovide only an unobscured lens state and an obscured lens state,without providing the ability to adjust the privacy level between thesetwo extremes. Moreover, the act of applying a lens cover can also beinconvenient, particularly when a user desires to apply and remove thecover multiple times a day or from a remote location.

By way of further example, some users resort to disconnecting the IPcamera when it is not in use. However, this solution can also beinconvenient, particularly when the camera's data connection is notreadily accessible. Moreover, it can also be difficult to tell whetherthe IP camera is connected/disconnected or active/inactive from simplylooking at the IP camera device.

It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosuremade herein is presented.

SUMMARY

Technologies are presented herein in support of a systems and method forproviding a privacy device that controls light entering a lens of animage pickup device.

According to a first aspect, a privacy device for selectivelycontrolling properties of light entering a lens of an image pickupdevice is disclosed. The privacy device includes a body having aperipheral side-wall that surrounds a generally hollow interior volumeand defines an open back of the body. The body also includes a mountadapted to attach the body to the image pickup device. The privacydevice also includes a light filter that is supported by the body anddefines a front side of the body that is opposite the open back. Morespecifically, the light filter comprises a transparent substrate thatextends across the interior volume, and a smart film disposed on asurface of the substrate. In addition, the transparency level of thesmart film is adjustable as a function of an electrical control signalapplied to the smart film.

According to a further aspect, the privacy device can also include afirst user interface for detecting a user input and generating anelectrical input signal based on the user input and a control modulethat is electrically connected to the first user interface and the smartfilm. More specifically, the control module is configured to generatethe control signal as a function of the input signal and therebyselectively controls the transparency of the smart film based on theuser input.

According to another aspect, a method for selectively adjusting aprivacy level during use of an image pickup device with alight-filtering privacy device is provided. The method includes the stepof providing a privacy device comprising (a) a body having a peripheralside-wall surrounding a generally hollow interior volume and defining anopen back of the body, and a mount adapted to attach the body to the IPcamera and (b) a light filter supported by the body and defining a frontside of the body opposite the open back-side of the body. In particular,the light filter includes a transparent substrate extending across theinterior volume, and a smart film disposed on a surface of thesubstrate. Moreover, a transparency level of the smart film isadjustable as a function of an electrical control signal applied to thesmart film. The provided privacy device also includes a first userinterface for detecting a user input and generating an electrical inputsignal based on the user input, and a control module that iselectrically connected to the first user interface and the smart film.More specifically, the control module is configured to generate thecontrol signal as a function of the input signal and thereby selectivelycontrols the transparency of the smart film based on the user input.

The method also includes the step of detecting, with the first userinterface, a user input and generating an electrical input signal. Inaddition, the method includes the step of determining, with the controlmodule, a target transparency level among a plurality of transparencylevels based on the input signal. Furthermore, the method includes thestep of generating, with the control module based on the targettransparency level, a control signal that corresponds to the targettransparency level and transitioning the light filter to the targettransparency level by applying the control signal to the light filterwith the control module.

According to yet another aspect, a privacy device for selectivelycontrolling properties of light entering a lens of an IP camera isdisclosed. The privacy device includes a body having a peripheralside-wall that surrounds a generally hollow interior volume and definesan open back of the body. The body also includes a mount adapted toattach the body to the image pickup device.

The privacy device also includes a light filter that is supported by thebody and defines a front side of the body that is opposite the openback. More specifically, the light filter comprises a Polymer DispersedLiquid Crystal (PDLC) smart film, wherein a transparency level of thesmart film is adjustable between a plurality of transparency levels as afunction of an electrical control signal. The light filter furthercomprises two conductive elements electrically connected to a controlmodule and configured to apply the control signal across at least aportion of the smart film.

In addition, the privacy device includes a first user interface having atouch-sensitive surface provided on an exterior surface of theperipheral sidewall, and a control input circuit that is electricallyconnected to the touch-sensitive surface and configured to detect a usertouch of the touch-sensitive surface and generate an input signal as afunction of the user touch.

The privacy device also includes a control module that is electricallyconnected to the first user interface and the smart film and that isconfigured to generate the control signal as a function of the inputsignal and thereby selectively controls the transparency of the smartfilm based on the user input. More specifically, the control moduleincludes a microcontroller electrically connected to the control inputcircuit and that is configured to determine a target transparency levelamong the plurality of transparency levels based on the input signalreceived from the control input circuit. In addition, the control moduleincludes a film control circuit that is electrically connected to themicrocontroller and that is configured to generate the control signalbased on the determined target transparency level. In particular, thegenerated control signal has a voltage level that causes the smart filmto transition to the target transparency level when applied across thesmart film using the two conductive elements.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages can be appreciatedfrom the accompanying description of certain embodiments of theinvention and the accompanying drawing figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent when considered in connection with thefollowing detailed description and appended drawings in which likedesignations denote like elements in the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of a privacydevice according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a top-plan view of the privacy device of FIG. 1A according toone or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1C is a cut-away side view of the privacy device of FIG. 1A and anIP camera according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of an exemplary light filter according toone or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration ofcomponents for controlling operation of the privacy device of FIG. 1Aaccording to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit fordetecting user inputs of a touch-sensitive user interface according toone or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary AC powered circuitfor controlling the transparency level of the privacy device of FIG. 1Aaccording to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary DC powered circuitfor controlling the transparency level of the privacy device of FIG. 1Aaccording to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is block diagram illustrating an exemplary microcontroller systemfor controlling operation of the privacy device of FIG. 1A according toone or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary routine forcontrolling operation of the privacy device of FIG. 1A according to oneor more embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aprivacy device according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview and introduction, the invention disclosed hereinconcerns a light filtering device and related methods for use with IPcameras to enhance user privacy. In particular, the privacy deviceincludes an adjustable light filter that can be attached to or placedover the lens of an IP camera such that light must pass through thelight filter before it can be captured by the IP camera. According to asalient aspect, the optical properties of the light filter can beelectrically controlled using a control module. Typically, the controlmodule is configured to adjust the transparency of the light filter inresponse to manual user interaction received via a user interface deviceprovided on the exterior of the privacy device. In addition oralternatively, inputs that serve to control the operation of the privacydevice can be received from other input sources that are incommunication with the control module, including for example, othercomputing devices, the IP camera and the like.

Preferably, the control module is configured to transition the lightfilter between at least a transparent state and an opaque state. Inaddition or alternatively, the transparency of the filter can be set toany number of intermediate transparency levels falling between theaforementioned transparent and opaque states. Accordingly, bycontrollably adjusting the light-transmission properties of the lightfilter, the privacy device can provide different levels of privacy tosuit the user's needs and maintain a selected privacy state until asubsequent user input is received.

The term “transparent” is intended to refer to a state in whichelectromagnetic radiation suitable for recording imagery by the IPcamera is transmitted through the filter without substantialinterference. The term “opaque” is intended to refer to anon-transparent state in which the IP camera is unable to recorddiscernable images. Accordingly, the opaque state of the light filter isnot required to completely reflect, scatter or absorb radiation and canobfuscate imagery recorded by the IP Camera through, for example,diffuse reflectance or transmission or absorption or any combination ofthe foregoing.

Although embodiments of the privacy device described herein areconfigured to include an optical “light filter” for filtering visiblelight, the privacy device can be adapted to selectively filter otherwavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that can be captured using IPCameras including, for example, infra-red radiation. Similarly, itshould be understood that various different types of transmission,reflectance or absorption properties of the light filter can be adjustedto achieve the desired privacy levels. Accordingly, the term “lightfilter” is not meant to be limiting and other approaches to obscuringthe imagery captured by the IP camera can be employed depending on theapplication.

According to a further salient aspect, the control module and the userinterface can be configured to define a control path for controlling theprivacy device that is independent and functionally isolated from otherpossible control paths that can operate on control inputs received fromother sources. Additional or alternative sources of control inputs caninclude, for example, the IP camera, other computing devices incommunication with the control module and a variety of sensors anddevices capable of collecting information relating to the operation ofthe privacy device. As a result of the discrete control path, the manualuser-controlled operation of the privacy device cannot be hacked oroverridden from a remote computer that might gain access to the IPcamera, the privacy device itself, or any computing devices in datacommunication therewith. In addition, the control module can also beconfigured such that inputs received via the manual input control pathoverride control inputs received via secondary control paths.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of a privacydevice 100 according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Theprivacy device 100 comprises a body 105 defined by one or moresidewalls. The body encompasses a generally hollow internal cavity 109shown in FIG. 3 and has an open bottom 107.

The body 105 also supports a light filter 130 at a side opposite theopen bottom 107. The light filter extends transversely across theinternal cavity and, thus, encloses the internal cavity near the frontside of the privacy device (toward the top in FIG. 1A). As shown, thelight filter can have a generally circular shape that is similar to theshape of conventional camera lenses and conventional camera lensattachments.

Preferably, the privacy device 100 also includes a user interface 150,which serves to facilitate the capture of manual inputs from the userincluding instructions to transition the privacy device to a particularprivacy-state or other commands and settings that facilitate operationof the privacy device. The user interface can comprise one or moreactive or passive input device(s) such as switch(es), button(s), key(s),touch-sensitive input devices, microphones, sensors and the like.

In the particular implementation shown in FIG. 1A, the user interface150 comprises a touch-sensitive surface 155 provided on the exteriorsurface of the body 105. In addition, the touch-sensitive surface 155can be operatively connected to circuitry (not shown) configured todetect changes in electrical properties (e.g., resistance, capacitanceand the like) that occur when a user touches the surface 155.

The privacy device 100 further comprises a control module 180 (shown indashed lines) configured to receive control inputs received from one ormore input sources and transition the light filter 130 to a prescribedprivacy state based on the received inputs, as further described herein.In particular, the control module can comprise electronic components andcircuitry for detecting changes in the electrical properties of thetouch-sensitive surface 155 of the user interface 150 caused by a user'stouch, interpret the detected user input and supply a control signal tothe light filter 130 that serves to adjust the transparency of the lightfilter as a function of the received user input.

As shown, the control module is housed within the body 105 and isoperatively connected to the user interface 150 and the light filter 130(connections not shown). The various devices and circuitry that comprisethe control module 180 can be arranged as a unit or as separateinterconnected components and circuits. Moreover, the control module'scomponents can be located on-board the privacy device or one or more ofthe components can be physically separate from the privacy device andelectrically connected thereto.

As noted, the light filter 130 of the privacy device 100 is intended tobe positioned relative to the IP camera's lens (190 in FIG. 1C) suchthat it occupies the field of view of the lens and ambient light passesthrough the light filter 130 and the internal cavity 109 before reachingthe lens. Accordingly, the body 105 can also incorporate a mount 160 forattaching the privacy device to the body of the IP camera or its lens.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the mount 160comprises a “cuff” encircling the opening provided at the bottom end107.

In some implementations, the mount 160 can be integral to the body 105or attached thereto. Furthermore, the mount can be configured topermanently secure the privacy device 100 into position or, in additionor alternatively, provide a temporary securement. Moreover, the mountcan rigidly couple the body to the IP camera or, in addition oralternatively, allow the privacy device to be moveable relative to theIP camera. For example and without limitation, the mount 160 cancomprise an adhesive cuff configured to form a bond between the body 105and the IP camera. By way of further example, the mount can comprise oneor more fasteners configured to matingly engage complementary fastenersprovided on the IP camera body. In addition or alternatively, the mountcan be configured to attach the body to the IP camera by way of afriction or interference fit. For example, the mount can comprise anelastic cuff designed to be stretched around the periphery of the cameralens body and hold the privacy device in position relative to the lens.Ultimately, the exemplary mounting configurations serve to provide aprivacy device 100 that can be used with existing camera devices ofvarious sizes, shapes and types. However, it should be understood that,in addition or alternatively, the privacy device can be permanentlyfused to or integrally formed with an IP camera (or lens body) toprovide an integrated camera and privacy filter system.

It should also be understood that the privacy device 100 and itscomponents can be sized, shaped and arranged to accommodate its intendedapplication. For instance, the body 105 and light filter 130 can besized such that it can be used with IP cameras having different sizes,shapes and lens configurations (e.g., an IP camera with a flush mountedlens or a protruding lens, wide-angle lenses, narrow angle lenses, andthe like). Further, the body 105 can be designed so that the internalcavity 109 is deep in order to accommodate the body of an IP camera lens190 at least partially within the internal cavity, as shown in FIG. 1C.In addition or alternatively, the body 105 can define a relatively wideand shallow internal cavity 109, for use used with IP cameras havingrecessed or flush-mounted lenses, without limiting the field of view ofthe IP camera.

FIGS. 1B and 1C provide, respectively, a simplified top plan view and acut-away side view of the privacy device 100. FIGS. 1B and 1C illustratean exemplary configuration of the light filter 130 in greater detail. Asshown, the light filter 130 comprises a “smart film” 134. The smart film134 is the component of the light filter 130 having optical propertiesthat are adjusted using the control module. The smart film can besupported by one or more transparent substrates such as a glass orplastic substrate.

By way of example and without limitation, the smart film 134 cancomprise a layer of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) filmdisposed on a substrate 132. In addition, the light filter 130 furthercomprises one or more conductive elements, 136A and 136B that areconnected to the control module 180 (not shown in FIG. 1B) by wire leads(not shown). The conductive elements are spaced apart from one anotherand are arranged to apply a voltage across at least a portion of thePDLC layer, as would be understood by those in the art. As shown inFIGS. 1A-1C, the two half-ring shaped conductive elements 136A and 136Bare positioned about respective peripheral margins of the smart film 132and are spaced apart from one another. In addition the conductiveelements can be spaced apart from the edge of the PDLC smart film 132.By way of further example, as shown in FIG. 1D, the PDLC layer 134 canbe sandwiched between two clear plastic substrate layers 132A and 132B,and the conductive elements 136A and 136B can be adhered to a respectiveone of the two substrate layers.

The PDLC smart film layer, in effect, acts as the dielectric of acapacitor between the two conductive elements 136A and 136B. Applicationof an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) voltage across thePDLC smart film 132 causes the transparency of the film to change as afunction of the applied voltage. More specifically, when no voltage isapplied across the smart film, the liquid crystal molecules of the PDLCsmart film are disordered causing the smart film to have an opaque,“milky white” appearance. When a prescribed “high” voltage is applied,say a 110V AC or DC control signal, the electric field formed across thefilm aligns the liquid crystal molecules allowing light to pass throughthe film without interference (e.g., shown as the dashed arrows “L” inFIG. 1C). While the opaque state might still be considered translucentin that it allows some light to pass through the film, the smart filmeffectively diffuses enough light to prevent the IP camera fromcapturing a useable image. In some configurations, intermediatetransparency levels between the opaque and transparent state can also beachieved by applying respective voltages across the PDLC smart film thatfall between the high voltage level (e.g., 110V AC or DC) and lowvoltage level (e.g., 0V).

Thus, placing the smart film 132 over the camera lens and selectivelyapplying a control signal to the smart film can control the transparencyof the smart film and, thus, the level of privacy. In accordance with asalient aspect, the “milky-white” appearance of the PDLC film thatvaries as a function of its transparency also provides visual feedbackto the user as to the degree of transparency/opacity, thereby allowingthe user to see whether the camera is obscured or to what degree.

Although the exemplary light filter 100 includes an electricallyoperated light filter 130 and user interface 150, in addition oralternatively, the privacy device 100 can incorporate a mechanicalswitch that forces the PDLC film into a particular transparency stateand is unconditional and impossible to override. A mechanical orelectro-mechanical switch can further prevent hackers from controllingthe invention via remote means and/or by software.

By way of example and without limitation, the override switch cancomprise a mechanical switch such as an “air gap” switch thatdisconnects the PDLC film from the power source, making itunconditionally opaque. Alternative manual override switchconfigurations can be implemented to disable or override non-manualcontrols, force the device to a particular state (e.g., the opaque stateor the last manually-selected state, whether transparent, opaque orotherwise) and maintain the state.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the touch-sensitiveuser interface 150, the light filter 130, the control module 180 andconnections there-between. FIG. 2 also depicts an exemplaryconfiguration of the control module 180 in greater detail. As shown, thecontrol module comprises an interface control circuit 182, a filmcontrol circuit 184 and a programmable microcontroller 186.

The interface control circuit 182 is configured to sense touch inputsreceived at the user interface 150 and provide the microcontroller 186with a control input signal that is suitable for processing. Themicrocontroller is programmed to process the received control input forthe purpose of determining the target privacy state of the light filterin view of prescribed operational settings and instructions, and providean output to the film control circuit accordingly. In turn, the filmcontrol circuit 184 is configured to apply a control signal to the lightfilter 130 that sets the transparency of the light filter as a functionof the input(s) received from the microcontroller. As noted, the controlcircuit 184 can apply the control signal to the smart film 132 via theconductive elements 136A or 136B. Exemplary configurations of theinterface control circuit 182, the film control circuit 184 and themicrocontroller 186 are further described in connection with FIGS. 3-6and with continued reference to FIGS. 1A-2.

Preferably, a power supply 188 is also connected to the control module180 and any other components that might require power for operation,such as the user interface 150 and the light filter 130. The powersupply 188 can be any style of energy storage device or energy source aswould be understood by those in the art. For example and withoutlimitation, the power supply can be one or more energy storage devices,such as a lithium-ion battery that is housed within the body 105 of theprivacy device. In addition or alternatively, the power supply can be anexternal source that is connected to the control module by a wiredconnection. For example, the external power supply can be the battery ofthe IP camera or, by way of further example, a 110V mains power supplythat the privacy device 100 is plugged directly into.

The different illustrative embodiments of the privacy device can beimplemented in a system including components in addition to or in placeof those illustrated for control circuit 180. Other components shown asbeing part of the control circuit 180 can be varied from theillustrative examples shown. The different embodiments can beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of runningprogram code. In addition or alternatively, aspects of the controlcircuit 180 can take the form of a hardware unit that has circuits thatare manufactured or configured for a particular use. This type ofhardware can perform operations without needing program code to beloaded into a memory from a computer readable storage device to beconfigured to perform the operations. For example, the control circuit180 can take the form of one or more of a circuit system, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or someother suitable type of hardware configured to perform a number ofoperations. With a programmable logic device, the device is configuredto perform the number of operations. The device can be reconfigured at alater time or can be permanently configured to perform the number ofoperations. Examples of programmable logic devices include, for example,a programmable logic array, programmable array logic, a fieldprogrammable logic array, a field programmable gate array, and othersuitable hardware devices. With this type of implementation, softwareprograms can be omitted because the processes for the differentembodiments are implemented in a hardware unit. Furthermore, certainfunctional blocks of the control module 180, such as the interfacecontrol circuit 182 or the film control circuit 184, can be combinedwith or integrated into other components of the privacy device 100, suchas the user interface 150 and the light filter 130, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram depicting an exemplary configuration of theinterface control circuit 182 in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the invention. Generally, the interface control circuit is configuredto sense the user touch of the touch-sensitive user interface 150 andprovide a one (1) bit input that is representative of the detected usertouch to the microcontroller 186 via node 420.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, circuit 182 receives an analogelectric signal at the input node 305 from the touch-sensitive surface155 of the user interface 150. Resistors R1 and R2 define a voltagedivider designed to protect against electrostatic discharge that mightbe received at input node 305. Capacitor C1 is provided to control thesensitivity of the touch-detection function performed by the interfacecontrol circuit. The particular value of C1 can be adjusted forcompatibility with the touch-sensitive surface 155 and to optimize thetouch duration necessary for the interface control circuit 182 to detecta user touch and generate an electrical signal that is discernable bythe microcontroller. An input amplifier 410 is configured to compare theinput voltage, as adjusted by R1/R2 and C1, to a reference voltagedefined by a voltage divider comprising resistors R3 and R4. Based onthe comparison, the input amplifier generates a corresponding output,for instance, a voltage high (VCC) if a touch is registered, or avoltage low (GND) if a touch is not registered. As would be understood,an isolation amplifier 315 can be provided to condition the output ofthe input amplifier 310 for protection of the microcontroller 186.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary film controlcircuit 484 that is configured to operate using 110 VAC mains powersupply. In other words, the exemplary circuit of FIG. 4 can be used tocontrol the transparency of the smart film 130 in configurations wherethe privacy device 100 is directly fed with 110 VAC mains power, ratherthan a DC power source.

In particular, capacitors C1 through C4 comprise a reactive voltagedivider. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 allows for an even voltagesplit of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of the 110V maximum voltage. Alternatecapacitor values can be chosen to provide other voltages to the smartfilm for other translucency settings. The capacitor values can alsoincrease proportionally in implementations where more operating currentis required. The nodes “Film IN” are intended to refer to the connectionbetween the circuit and the voltage high side of the film. In otherwords, the “Film In” outputs 410A-410B from the circuit 484 areconnected to a first conductive element among the two spaced apartconductive elements (e.g., element 136A shown in FIG. 2) and apply thevoltage levels, 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, respectively, to one side ofthe film 132. The “LOW side of the film, namely, the second conductivering among the two spaced apart conductive rings (e.g., element 136Bshown in FIG. 2) is connected to an AC Neutral (e.g., logic ground(GND)).

TR1 through TR4 represent TRIACS or silicon controlled rectifiers, whichare “sensitive” in that only a small logic voltage/current is needed totrigger them, and configured to be operated directly by n number ofindividual inputs received from the microprocessor via respective inputs405A-405D. When activated, TR1-TR4 provide a respective level of ACvoltage to the smart film 130 via “Film IN” nodes 410A-410D,respectively. Only one of the n number of inputs (e.g., 405A to 405D)are operated at a time and, depending on which one is operated, arespective level of transparency is achieved. Furthermore, inimplementations in which the natural state of the PDLC smart film 132 isopaque, the absence of a control signal output by the film controlcircuit 484 can result in the smart film remaining opaque.

The actual voltages seen by the smart film 132 can be controlled viaP-type/N-type transistor pairs (not shown). These transistor pairscontrol the input at 405, not the voltage seen by the firm from 410.These transistors may be operated directly by outputs from themicroprocessor 186 via four each ports (such as “100% transparencyselect” input 405A) or via a multiplexer to allow the port numbers to bereduced to just two. TRIAC/SCR control can be steady state (ON/OFF) andno pulse width modulation is required to provide sine wave voltages tothe smart film 132.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary film controlcircuit 584 designed for configurations in which the power source 188supplies DC power to the control module 180. As would be understood bythose in the art, the charge pump circuit 550 is configured to, inresponse to the “enable” input that turns the pump on and off, step-upor boost the DC input power (“VCC”) to a level that is suitable for usein activating the smart film 130, for instance, a 110V DC output at nodeVout of the charge pump. The exemplary circuit 584 can operate using anyDC input power value, however, the internal configuration of the chargepump/boost circuit 550 is preferably defined according to the particularDC input power level and required DC output power level.

As shown, resistors R9 through R12 and associated capacitors C1 throughC4, respectively, define a voltage divider that splits the voltageoutput by the charge pump, Vout, into four levels relative to functionalearth ground, Fgnd. For instance, the voltage divider of circuit 584allows for an even voltage split of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of Vout tobe provided at respective nodes “Film IN” 510A-510D. Alternate resistorvalues can be chosen to achieve voltage level divisions of differentmagnitudes and, thus, alternate transparency settings. In addition, avoltage divider comprising more or fewer R/C pairs can be implemented toachieve more or fewer voltage divisions.

Similar to the circuit described in relation to FIG. 4, the “Film IN”nodes 510A-510D shown in FIG. 5 can be connected to the “high” side ofthe smart film 130 via a first conductive element 136A. In addition, the“low” side of the smart film 130 can be connected to Logic Ground (GND)along with the second conductive element 136B.

The voltages seen by the privacy film are controlled via P-type/N-typeFET transistor pairs such as pairs Q1/Q5, Q2/Q6, Q3/Q7, Q4/Q8 configuredto selectively provide voltage outputs to the film over one of lines 510to achieve transparency levels 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, respectively.Control of these transistor pairs can be effectuated directly by inputsreceived from the microprocessor via respective inputs 505A-505D.Alternatively, the transistors can be controlled via a multiplexer toallow the microcontroller port numbers to be reduced to just two.Moreover, in view of the DC voltage output by the charge pump, pulsewidth modulation or timed port ON/OFF functionality can also beincorporated so as to provide square wave voltages to the smart film 130for activating the smart film. Furthermore, in implementations in whichthe natural state of the PDLC smart film 132 is opaque, the absence of acontrol signal output by the film control circuit 584 can result in thesmart film remaining opaque.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the exemplary microcontroller186. Any suitable microcontroller comprising one or more processors andperipheral components, as are well known in the art, is employable toreceive and interpret analog or digital control input signals andgenerate analog or digital output signals suitable for controlling thelight filter 130 in accordance with one or more of the disclosedembodiments. The various components of the microcontroller can becombined into a single integrated circuit or provided as discretedevices. As used herein, the term “signal” is intended encompass digitalsignals, analog signals or any combination of the foregoing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the microcontroller 186 can comprise a processor 640along with memory 630 and programmable input/output peripherals. Inparticular, the microcontroller can be configured to receive controlinput signals via input port 610 and to output signals for controllingthe light filter 130 via one or more output ports 605A-605D. In theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the input received at input port610 from the interface control circuit 182 can be a one bit signalsignifying whether a user is touching a touch-sensitive surface 155 ofthe user interface 150. However, the number of input ports, output portsor I/O ports can vary depending on the implementation. For example, themicrocontroller can include a plurality of input ports that correspondto one or more sources of control inputs. By way of further example, themicrocontroller can receive a multi-bit digital input at port 610, say,a digital word representing a duration and a particular location of auser touch on the touch-sensitive surface 155 of the user interface 150.By way of further example, the microcontroller can be configured toreceive an analog signal at port 610, wherein the magnitude of thesignal is indicative of the duration of the user touch of thetouch-sensitive surface 155. Such an approach would require an analog todigital converter so that the processor 640 can operate based on thesignal, assuming a digital processor.

As shown in FIG. 6, the microcontroller 186 includes the processor 640that is in operative communication with the input ports 610 and outputports 605A-605D. The processor 640 serves to execute softwareinstructions that can be loaded into a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium (e.g., memory 630). Memory 630 can be implemented using,for example, a random access memory (RAM) or any other suitable volatileor non-volatile computer readable storage medium. The processor can beimplemented using multiple processors, a multi-processor core, or someother type of processor. The memory is accessible by the processor,thereby enabling the processor to receive and execute instructionsstored in the memory and/or in another storage medium. In particular,the instructions configure the processor to monitor the inputs receivedfrom the input control circuit 182, process the inputs andprogrammatically generate outputs for transitioning the light filter 130as a function of the inputs.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram is provided showing a routine 700that illustrates a broad aspect of a method for controlling the privacystate of the privacy device 100 in accordance with at least oneembodiment disclosed herein. It should be appreciated that several ofthe logical operations described herein are implemented (1) as asequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on theprocessor 640 and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits orcircuit modules within the processor. The implementation is a matter ofchoice dependent on the requirements of the device (e.g., size, energy,consumption, performance, etc.). Accordingly, the logical operationsdescribed herein are referred to variously as operations, steps,structural devices, acts, or modules. As referenced above, various ofthese operations, steps, structural devices, acts, and modules can beimplemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic,special purpose analog circuitry, and any combination thereof. It shouldalso be appreciated that more or fewer operations can be performed thanshown in the figures and described herein. These operations can also beperformed in a different order than those described herein.

Routine 700 begins at step 705, in which the processor 640, which isconfigured by executing instructions therein, monitors one or morecontrol input signals received by the microcontroller. For instance, theprocessor 640 can monitor input port 610, which receives the output ofthe interface control circuit 182, for signals indicative of theoccurrence of a touch-event or the absence thereof. In connection withstep 705, the processor can also monitor additional parameters relatingto the received inputs and record the information in the memory 630 oranother storage medium for further processing. For instance, theprocessor can detect a transition of the input signal from voltage lowto voltage high signifying a user touch of the user interface 150 andcan also determine the duration of the touch event based on the measuredduration of the voltage high signal seen at the input port 610.

At step 705, the configured processor 650 processes the detected inputsin accordance with prescribed rules and settings. More specifically, theprocessor 650 can be configured to determine the appropriate privacystate for the light filter 130 based on the detected user input andadditional parameters including, for example, the current state of thelight filter 130, measured parameters relating to the detected input andprescribed settings stored in the memory 630.

For instance, in a basic implementation in which the privacy device 100has two operative states, opaque and transparent, the processor can beprogrammed to transition the device from its current state to the otherstate upon detecting any user touch. By way of further example, inimplementations in which the privacy device 100 has five privacy states,say, opaque and 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% transparency, the processor canbe configured to transition the device from its current state to anensuing state in response to each discrete touch-event, thereby allowingthe user to cycle through privacy states by successively interactingwith the user interface 150. By way of further example, the processorcan be configured to determine the appropriate privacy state based onthe measured duration of a continuous user input and settings comprisingthreshold touch durations associated with respective privacy states. Forinstance, the processor can transition the device to the opaque state inresponse to a user touch that is shorter than a lower duration threshold(e.g., one second), transition the device to a semi-transparent state ifthe touch duration falls between the lower duration threshold and anupper duration threshold (e.g., 4 seconds), and transition the device tofully transparent state if the touch duration exceeds the upper durationthreshold.

At step 710 the processor detects inputs that may be manual inputs fromtouch-sensitive surface 155, or other sensors (e.g., time of day). Basedon these inputs and prescribed rules and settings, the processordetermines the target privacy state.

At step 715, the microcontroller 186 generates and outputs one or moresignals that cause the light filter 130 to transition to the appropriateprivacy state determined at step 710. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 6, the microcontroller can include four output ports 605A-605D thatare respectively connected to the film control circuit input nodeslabeled 25%, 50%, 75% and “100% transparency” and numbered 405A-405D or505A-505D in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. Depending on the determinedprivacy state and its corresponding transparency level, the processor640 can output a signal via the appropriate output port among the outputports 605A-605D. Furthermore, in implementations in which the naturalstate of the PDLC smart film 132 is opaque, the absence of a controlsignal output by the processor 640 via an output port can result in thesmart film remaining opaque.

As shown in FIG. 7, the processor 640 can be configured to continuouslyloop through one or more of steps 705-715 so as to detect and act onsubsequent control inputs.

Although the exemplary embodiment of the privacy device 100 is primarilydescribed as being controlled using a manual user interface 150, inaddition or alternatively, the privacy device can be controlled by oneor more other control input sources that are operatively connected tothe control module 180.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary privacy device 800 thatis operatively connected to a plurality of different control inputsources in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Asshown, the privacy device 800 comprises a light filter 830 and a controlmodule 880 that is operatively connected to control input sourcesincluding, for example and without limitation, a manual user interface850 (e.g., a touch-sensitive surface), sensors 855, an IP camera 890 andcomputing devices such as a smartphone 892 and a remote computer 895. Itshould be understood that any one or more of the exemplary control inputsources can be connected to the control module 880 depending on theimplementation.

In particular, the control module comprises a processor 840 that servesto execute software instructions that can be loaded into the memory 830.The processor 840 can be implemented using multiple processors, amulti-processor core, or some other type of processor. The memory 830 isaccessible by the processor, thereby enabling the processor to receiveand execute instructions stored on the memory and/or on the storage 845.Memory 830 can be implemented using, for example, a random access memory(RAM) or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readablestorage medium. In addition, memory 830 can be fixed or removable.

The storage medium 845 can also take various forms, depending on theparticular implementation. For example, storage medium can contain oneor more components or devices such as a hard drive, a flash memory, arewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combinationof the above. The storage medium 845 also can be fixed or removable orremote such as cloud based data storage systems (remote memory orstorage configuration not shown). The storage, for example, can be usedto maintain a database, which stores information relating touser-defined settings or preferences that inform operation of theprivacy device (e.g., the different privacy states/transparency levels,user-defined inputs, preferences and the like), information relating toinstallation of the privacy device (e.g., location), and/or data used orgenerated while carrying out operations using the privacy device 800.

As shown, the input devices can be operatively connected to theprocessor 840 via an I/O bus 835. In addition, the control module 880can include a communication interface 882 that is operatively connectedto the processor 840. The communication interface 882 can be anyinterface that enables communication between the processor 840 andexternal devices, machines and/or elements such as user input devices,sensors, remote computing devices via wired or wireless connections. Forexample, the communication interface can include, but is not limited to,a modem, a Network Interface Card (NIC), an integrated networkinterface, a radio frequency transmitter/receiver (e.g., Bluetooth,cellular, NFC, Wi-Fi), a satellite communication transmitter/receiver,an infrared port, a USB connection, and/or any other such interfaces forconnecting the control module to other computing devices and/orcommunication networks 897, such as private networks and the Internet.Such connections can include a wired connection or a wireless connection(e.g., using the IEEE 802.11 standard) though it should be understoodthat communication interface can be practically any interface thatenables communication to/from the processor. For example, the remotecomputer 895 is shown as being in indirect communication with thecontrol module through a communications network 897 and the usersmartphone 892 is in wireless communication with an antenna of thecommunication interface 882.

It should be understood that any number of input devices can beoperatively connected to the control module 880 depending on theparticular application of the privacy device 800. For example, aspreviously discussed, the control module 880 can be configured toreceive manual user inputs that serve to transition the light filter 830between privacy states via an on-board touch-sensitive user interface850.

In addition or alternatively, the control module 880 can be configuredto receive control inputs directly from the IP camera 890 that indicatean operative status of the IP Camera. For example, the control input canindicate whether the IP camera is recording and the control module 880can be configured to transition the light filter 830 to a transparentstate if the IP camera is recording and, otherwise, maintain an opaquestate. In such a configuration, the privacy state can be controlledwithout user input and the visibly opaque or transparent light filtercan also provide the user with visual feedback as to whether the IPcamera is recording or not.

In addition or alternatively, the control module 880 can be configuredto operate based on control inputs received from computing devices suchas the remote computer 895 or the user smartphone 892. In a basicvariation, the control inputs can include commands specifying thedesired privacy state that prompt the control module to transition thelight filter 830 to the appropriate privacy state. In more sophisticatedvariations, operation of the privacy device can be enhanced according tocustomized user-defined settings or preferences received from acomputing device. Accordingly, the control module 880 can be configuredto store the user-defined settings in memory 830 or storage 845 andcontrol the light filter 830 according to these user-defined settings.For example, the settings can define a number of privacy states,respective transparency levels, customized user inputs associated withrespective levels (e.g., prescribed touch durations, certain usercommands that automatically determine a state), priority levelsassociated with respective input sources and the like.

By way of further example, the prescribed settings can also defineprescribed conditions or events that can also control the operation ofthe privacy device 800. For instance, the control module 880 can beprogrammed to automatically adjust the transparency of the light filter830 based on conditions such as the time of day, how long the lightfilter has been in a particular privacy state, the location of theprivacy device, ambient lighting levels and the like. In someimplementations, the control module 880 can be configured to monitorsuch conditions independently and in real time using sensors 855 and thelike, which can be local to the control module or connected thereto. Itcan thus be appreciated that the control module can be programmed toimplement various enhanced features and functionality by integratingsophisticated control input sources.

As a practical example, installation of the privacy device 800 with anIP Camera 890 in an elderly person's home can be programmed to maintaina high privacy level (e.g., an opaque state) as a default and transitionto a lower privacy level (e.g., a transparent state) in response to thedetection of certain events, say, if the person falls in their home andrequires medical assistance. For example, the control module 880 can beconfigured to transition the light filter 830 to the transparent statein response to detecting a verbal call for help using an associatedmicrophone or wirelessly receiving an emergency signal emitted by amedical alert device. By way of further example, a control inputinstructing the control module to remove the privacy protection can bereceived from an authorized remote computing device (e.g., computingdevice 897 or smartphone 892) operated by, say, a family memberresponding to an emergency alert or notification.

As noted, the privacy state of the exemplary privacy device 800 can becontrolled through a first control path (e.g., the manual user inputdevice 850 and associated hardware/software controls) that is completelyseparate from other control paths (e.g., a control path integrated withthe IP camera). The components used to provide a separate control pathcan vary from separate applications executing on computing devices (suchas smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops) and backend services (byproviders independent from the camera's providers), to separate physicalmediums such as but not limited to, mechanical switches, infraredcontrols, ultrasound controls or wired controls. Voice control andgesturing are two additional means of control but the invention is notlimited to these technologies. One intent in providing separate controlpaths is to remove the need to trust a single manufacturer or provider.

In accordance with a salient aspect of one or more of the disclosedembodiments, the manual user-interface 850 provided on-board the privacydevice 800 and the control module 880 can be configured to define afirst control path for controlling the privacy device that isindependent and functionally isolated from other, potentially hackable,control paths. This separation can be achieved by, for example,physically isolating components of the user interface 850 and controlmodule 880 that define the first control path from other potentiallyhackable control paths. Separation could also be achieved throughimmutably programming the control module to ignore, override oreffectively block control inputs received from other control paths whenoperating on a control input received via the first control path. As aresult, the isolated and prioritized control path (e.g., the manualuser-controlled operation of the privacy device) is protected fromhacking or being overridden by a remote computer that gains access tothe IP camera, the privacy device itself, or any computing devices indata communication with the privacy device. In addition, the controlmodule 880 can also be configured such that inputs received via thefirst control path override any inputs previously received orsubsequently received via other control paths.

Moreover, as previously noted, in some implementations, the manualuser-interface can comprise a mechanical or electro-mechanical switchthat forces the smart film into a particular state and is unconditionaland impossible to override by non-manual input means. By way of exampleand without limitation, the override switch can comprise a mechanicalswitch that disconnects the PDLC film from the power source, making itunconditionally opaque. However, alternative manual override switchconfigurations can be implemented to disable/interrupt or override othernon-manual controls. The alternative manual override switch can also beconfigured to force the device to a particular state or the lastmanually-selected state, whether transparent, opaque or otherwise, andmaintain the state.

It should be understood that, in accordance with one or more of thedisclosed embodiments, the computing devices such as smartphone 892 andremote computer 895, can execute instructions in the form of one or moresoftware modules that configure the devices to communicate and interfacewith the processor 840 of the control module 880, thereby preferablyinitiating, facilitating, maintaining, and/or enhancing the operation ofthe privacy device 800. In particular, the user-facing computing devicescan be provided with a user application module that, when executed bythe device's processor (not shown), configures the computing device to,for example and without limitation: guide a user to input userpreferences and settings; store information that might be received fromthe control module 880 or other devices such as the IP Camera 890 (e.g.,a video feed); process the received information; and store, monitor andoutput information relating to the operation of the privacy device andthe IP Camera via an associated display or a web-based portal that isaccessible to the user.

It should be further understood that while the various computingdevices, control input sources, controllers and processors are referredto herein as individual/single devices and/or machines, in certainimplementations the referenced devices and machines, and theirassociated and/or accompanying operations, features, and/orfunctionalities can be combined or arranged or otherwise employed acrossany number of such devices and/or machines, such as over a networkconnection, a wired or wireless communication connection, as is known tothose of skill in the art.

At this juncture, it should be noted that although much of the foregoingdescription has been directed to systems and methods for selectivelyadjusting a transparency level of a privacy device used with an IPCamera, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be similarlydeployed and/or implemented in scenarios, situations, and settings farbeyond the referenced scenarios.

It should be appreciated that more or fewer operations can be performedthan shown in the figures and described. These operations can also beperformed in a different order than those described. It is to beunderstood that like numerals in the drawings represent like elementsthrough the several figures, and that not all components and/or stepsdescribed and illustrated with reference to the figures are required forall embodiments or arrangements.

Thus, illustrative embodiments and arrangements of the present systemsand methods provide a system and a computer implemented method, computersystem, and computer program product for wirelessly configuring fielddevices. The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments and arrangements. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations,and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges can be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A privacy device for selectivelycontrolling properties of light entering a lens of an image pickupdevice, comprising: a light filter adapted to be placed across a fieldof view of the image pickup device, wherein the light filter includes asmart film, wherein a transparency level of the smart film is adjustableas a function of an electrical control signal applied to the smart filmand wherein the smart film is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC)film; a first user interface for detecting a user input and generatingan electrical input signal based on the user input; and a control moduleelectrically connected to the first user interface and the smart film,wherein the control module is configured to generate the electricalcontrol signal as a function of the input signal and thereby selectivelycontrols the transparency of the smart film based on the user input,wherein the control module is configured to transition the smart filmbetween a plurality of transparency levels including: a transparentlevel, an opaque level, and one or more semi-transparent levels, andwherein a first control path defined by the control module and the firstuser interface is isolated from the image pickup device.
 2. The privacydevice of claim 1, wherein the first control path is isolated from anycontrol paths of the image pickup device.
 3. The privacy device of claim2, further comprising: a second control interface electrically coupledto the control module, wherein the control module is configured toreceive a second input signal from the second control interface andcontrol the transparency level of the smart film as a function of thesecond input signal, and wherein the second control interface isselected from the group consisting of: a user computing device, an IPcamera, a user input device and a sensor.
 4. The privacy device of claim1, wherein the transparency levels of the smart film are uniform acrossthe field of view of the image pickup device.
 5. The privacy device ofclaim 1, wherein the light filter further comprises: two conductiveelements electrically connected to the control module and configured toapply the control signal across at least a portion of the smart film;and wherein the transparency level of the smart film is a function of avoltage level of the control signal applied thereto.
 6. The privacydevice of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises: a control inputcircuit electrically connected to the first user interface, wherein thecontrol input circuit is configured to detect the user interaction withthe first user interface and generate an input signal; a microcontrollerelectrically connected to the control input circuit, wherein themicrocontroller is configured to determine a target transparency levelamong the plurality of transparency levels based on the input signalreceived from the control input circuit; and a film control circuitelectrically connected to the microcontroller, wherein the film controlcircuit is configured to generate the control signal based on thedetermined target transparency level.
 7. The privacy device of claim 1,wherein the first user interface comprises a touch-sensitive surfacethat is electrically connected to the control module.
 8. The privacydevice of claim 1, further comprising: a body adapted to support thelight filter such that the light filter occupies the field of view ofthe image pickup device.
 9. The privacy device of claim 1, wherein theimage pickup device is an IP camera.
 10. A privacy device forselectively controlling properties of light entering a lens of an imagepickup device, comprising: a light filter adapted to be placed across afield of view of the image pickup device, wherein the light filterincludes a smart film, wherein a transparency level of the smart film isadjustable as a function of an electrical control signal applied to thesmart film and wherein the smart film is a Polymer Dispersed LiquidCrystal (PDLC) film; a first user interface for detecting a user input,wherein the first user interface is for detecting the user input andgenerating an electrical input signal based on the user input; a controlmodule electrically connected to the first user interface and the smartfilm, wherein the control module generates the electrical control signalbased on the electrical input signal to selectively control thetransparency of the smart film based on the user input, wherein thecontrol module is configured to transition the smart film between aplurality of transparency levels including: a transparent level, anopaque level, and one or more semi-transparent levels; and a secondcontrol interface electrically coupled to the control module, whereinthe control module is configured to receive a second input signal fromthe second control interface and control the transparency level of thesmart film as a function of the second input signal, and wherein thesecond control interface is selected from the group consisting of: auser computing device, an IP camera, a user input device and a sensor,and wherein the control module is configured to override any secondinput signals received from the second control interface in response tothe input signal received from the first user interface.
 11. A privacydevice for selectively controlling properties of light entering a lensof an image pickup device, comprising: a light filter adapted to beplaced across a field of view of the image pickup device, wherein thelight filter includes a smart film, wherein a transparency level of thesmart film is adjustable as a function of an electrical control signalapplied to the smart film and wherein the smart film is a PolymerDispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) film; a first user interface fordetecting a user input, wherein the first user interface is fordetecting the user input and generating an electrical input signal basedon the user input; a control module electrically connected to the firstuser interface and the smart film, wherein the control module generatesthe electrical control signal based on the electrical input signal toselectively control the transparency of the smart film based on the userinput, wherein the control module is configured to transition the smartfilm between a plurality of transparency levels including: a transparentlevel, an opaque level, and one or more semi-transparent levels; and asecond control interface electrically coupled to the control module,wherein the control module is configured to receive a second inputsignal from the second control interface and control the transparencylevel of the smart film as a function of the second input signal, andwherein the second control interface is selected from the groupconsisting of: a user computing device, an IP camera, a user inputdevice and a sensor, and wherein a first control path defined by thecontrol module and the first user interface is isolated from a secondcontrol path defined by the control module and the second controlinterface.
 12. A privacy device for selectively controlling propertiesof light entering a lens of an image pickup device, comprising: a lightfilter adapted to be placed across a field of view of the image pickupdevice, wherein the light filter includes a smart film, wherein atransparency level of the smart film is adjustable as a function of anelectrical control signal applied to the smart film and wherein thesmart film is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) film; a firstuser interface for detecting a user input, wherein the first userinterface is for detecting the user input and generating an electricalinput signal based on the user input; and a control module electricallyconnected to the first user interface and the smart film, wherein thecontrol module generates the electrical control signal based on the userinput to selectively control the transparency of the smart film, whereinthe control module is configured to transition the smart film between aplurality of transparency levels including: a transparent level, anopaque level, and one or more semi-transparent levels, and wherein thefirst user interface is configured to manually override other inputs forcontrolling the transparency level of the smart film and force the smartfilm to a particular transparency level.
 13. A method for selectivelyadjusting a privacy level during use of an image pickup device with alight-filtering privacy device, comprising the steps of: providing aprivacy device comprising a light filter adapted to be placed in a fieldof view of the image pickup device, wherein the light filter includes: asmart film, wherein a transparency level of the smart film is adjustableas a function of an electrical control signal applied to the smart filmand wherein the smart film is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC)film, a first user interface for detecting a user input and generatingan electrical input signal based on the user input, and a control moduleelectrically connected to the first user interface and the smart film,wherein the control module is configured to generate the control signalas a function of the input signal and thereby selectively controls thetransparency of the smart film based on the user input, and wherein afirst control path defined by the control module and the first userinterface is isolated from the image pickup device; detecting, with thefirst user interface, a user input and generating an electrical inputsignal; determining, with the control module, a target transparencylevel among a plurality of transparency levels based on the inputsignal, wherein the plurality of transparency levels include atransparent level, an opaque level, and one or more semi-transparentlevels; and generating, with the control module based on the targettransparency level, a control signal that corresponds to the targettransparency level; and transitioning, by the control module, the lightfilter to the target transparency level by applying the control signalto the light filter.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thesemi-transparent transparency level is uniform across the field of viewof the image pickup device.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein thecontrol module comprises a microcontroller and a film control circuitthat is configured to output the control signal at any one of aplurality of different voltage levels, wherein each voltage levelcorresponds to a respective transparency level among the plurality oftransparency levels, and wherein the step of generating the controlsignal comprises: causing, with the microcontroller, the film controlcircuit to output the control signal at a given voltage level thatcorresponds to the target transparency level.
 16. The method of claim13, further comprising: providing a second control interface incommunication with the control module, wherein the second controlinterface is selected from the group consisting of: a user computingdevice, an IP camera, a user input device, a sensor; receiving, by thecontrol module from the second control interface, a second input signal;and performing, by the control module based on the second input signal,the steps of determining the target transparency level, generating thecontrol signal and transitioning the light filter to the targettransparency level based on the second input signal.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the second input signal comprises one or more of aninstruction to transition the light filter to another transparencylevel, and prescribed settings defining the plurality of transparencylevels, and further comprising: storing any prescribed settings in anon-transitory memory of the control module, and wherein the steps ofdetermining the target transparency level, generating the control signaland transitioning the light filter to the target transparency level areperformed by the control module as a function of any prescribed settingsstored in the memory.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:overriding any second input signal previously received from the secondcontrol interface in response to receipt of the control input signalfrom the first user interface and thereby determining the targettransparency level, generating the control signal and transitioning thelight filter to the target transparency level in response to the inputsignal received from the first user interface and without regard to anypreviously received second input signal.